Press Release: Concerns Raised Over Slow Compensation for LGBT Veterans
Liberal Democrat MP Jess Brown-Fuller has sounded the alarm over the sluggish pace of the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, which aims to compensate former service members dismissed due to their sexuality. Launched in December, the scheme has seen only 69 out of more than 1,200 applicants compensated, raising concerns that it could take over a decade to process all claims.
Brown-Fuller’s scrutiny of the scheme was sparked by the case of Liz Stead, a 77-year-old former RAF radar operator. Stead was discharged in 1969 after her correspondence with a girlfriend was discovered by military police, a situation that left her in a state of "limbo" for six months and led to a criminal conviction for "same-sex sexual activity."
Despite receiving compensation last month, Stead is still awaiting further payments regarding her treatment during service. She recounted the trauma of being coerced into admitting her sexuality and enduring the stigma surrounding her discharge.
The statistics are alarming: as of mid-June, only 44 compensation applications had been processed. At the current rate, it could take around 14 years to clear the backlog, leaving many elderly veterans waiting for their due recognition. "Veterans in their 60s, 70s, and 80s don’t have years to wait," Brown-Fuller stated, urging the government to expedite the process.
In response, the Ministry of Defence acknowledged the unacceptable treatment of LGBT personnel from 1967 to 2000, indicating efforts to collaborate with organizations like Fighting with Pride to identify affected veterans. The MoD encourages those who believe they may qualify for compensation to contact them directly.
As frustrations mount, Brown-Fuller emphasized the urgency of reforming the compensation process to ensure timely justice for those who served under discriminatory conditions.
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